Astros light up scoreboard in Mexico City

March 27th, 2016

MEXICO CITY -- Carlos Correa and Tyler White hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning to send the Astros on their way to an 11-1 win over the Padres on Saturday night in the first game of the Mexico City Series at Estadio Fray Nano.
Padres starter Robbie Erlin held the Astros hitless through three innings before Correa hit an opposite-field home run down the right-field line and White followed with a shot to left-center. Those were the only hits Erlin allowed in five innings. He struck out five.
Players greeted by fervent crowd in Mexico
"I knew it was gone because of the playing conditions and the ballpark," Correa said of his leadoff shot in the fourth. "The ball carries here, and as soon as I hit it I knew it was going to go out.
"At the end of the day, it's about having good at-bats and having the right approach going into the season, and I think a lot of players feel good going into the season."

Astros starting pitcher Chris Devenski didn't let the high altitude (7,200 feet) bother him. The right-hander, who was sent to Minor League camp earlier in the spring, struck out seven without issuing a walk and held the Padres to three hits in 4 1/3 scoreless innings.
"In batting practice, the hitters couldn't wait for the game, and the pitchers were a little bit nervous," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "As the game progressed, our guys did a pretty good job of throwing strikes. We didn't give them any extra bases, didn't put ourselves in jeopardy of having to get extra outs. We threw the ball well all night."

The Astros took a 3-0 lead in the seventh when Tony Kemp scored on a double to left field off the bat of Jake Marisnick, who later scored on a sacrifice fly by Mexico native Leo Heras to push the lead to 4-0. The Astros erupted for seven runs in the eighth inning, including a three-run double Danny Worth to make it 11-0.
Up next for the Astros: Right-hander Brady Rodgers, who was sent to Minor League camp earlier in the spring, will make the start for the split-squad Astros when they play Padres in the final game of the Mexico City Series at 2 p.m. CT on Sunday. Fans can watch a free live stream of that game on astros.com. Meanwhile, Scott Feldman is scheduled to start Sunday's 2:05 p.m. CT game against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla.
Up next for the Padres: The Padres wrap up their Mexico Series against the Astros at noon PT on Sunday with Cesar Vargas on the hill, pitching in front of friends and family. Vargas grew up two hours to the south in Puebla. Fans can watch a free live stream of that game on padres.com. Meanwhile, in Cactus League action, Andrew Cashner gets the ball against the Angels in Peoria for a 1:10 p.m. PT first pitch on MLB.TV. Cashner has been sharp this spring, posting a 2.40 ERA in four starts.